If a computer is one of your workplace tools, you no doubt are familiar with the change-your-password message.

Sure. Here at the newspaper, the system used to give us a heads-up more than a week in advance of the required change.

But now, there's no warning. You come in one morning and the message on the screen declares that you need to change your password. Now. Do not pass "GO." Do not collect $200.

This is not one of life's major injustices. Still, I liked to give the new password a little thought. Now I pretty much have to come up with something on the spot.

The obvious solution is to have a ready reserve of passwords. I realize that.

But let me ask you.

Do you typically have a new password waiting in the on-deck circle for when your system says you need to replace your old one?

Or do you prefer to come up with something on the spur of the moment?

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